Mentors’ knowledge, experience to fuel next coaching generation

In a bid to see the growth of the women’s game continue apace on and off the pitch, major names and up-and-coming stars of women’s coaching came together to take part in the very first FIFA Coaching Mentorship Programme.

Winners of FIFA Women’s World Cups at senior and youth level, Olympic gold medalists and tacticians who have helped change the face of football in their country were paired together with rising talents to provide advice, experience and knowledge to help develop the next generation of coaches.

“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had a lot of people influence me and be around me and be good mentors,” explained Jill Ellis, who led USA to success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. “When I talk to coaches getting into the game, one of the main things I tell them is: ‘Don’t try and be somebody else. Be authentic to who you are, in terms of your personality.”

Over 80 candidates applied to be part of the first edition, with the 21 pairs taking part in a year of direct communication running up until November 2019.